Twill ZigZag Bag Squared – A Zoom Loom Project

With just a few squares, you can weave something that looks complex, but is actually quite easy. And in the end, you have a darling little bag, just the right size for your wallet and a few essentials.

These bags, designed and woven by Constance Hall, explore twill weave (the zig zag) on the Schacht Zoom Loom. We love the contrasting solid black with the graphic black and white–which is so in this spring. The links to the complete weaving and assembly instructions, as well as other fabulous Zoom Loom projects are below. Happy Weaving!

Other notions, equipment or tools: Sewing machine or needle and thread; 2 buttons for each bag; lining fabric; 4 Super magnets per bag

Overview: These small bags are woven with a Zoom Loom using a zig zag twill pattern. When weaving the black and natural squares make sure to warp with the same color each time. The solid black squares are woven with the zig zag twill pattern. You can use the twill zigzag pattern or plain weave. The bags are fulled gently by hand until the squares firm up. Too much felting will cause the twill pattern to be blurry. The closures used are magnets, but snaps or buttons and loops could be used.

Small bag: Weave two black squares and 6 natural and black squares, using the zig zag twill pattern.

Weaving the ZigZag Twill

With natural yarn, warp the 1st layer as in the Zoom Loom instructions.
Turn the loom 180 degrees. Go around the 1st pin and warp this layer as in the Zoom Loom instructions for the third layer.
Break the yarn leaving a 3″ tail and tape the tail to the back of the loom, out of the way. Wrap black yarn around the outside of pins 9 times to measure yarn needed for weaving. Weave with the black yarn as follows:
Row 1: [U1, O1] straight across, Go around the bottom corner pin to lock the yarn down. Back through large space.

Row 2: [O2, U2] across, ending with U1

Row 3: O1, U1, [O2, U2] across, ending with O1

Row 4: [U2, O2] across, ending with O1

Row 5: U1, O1, [U2, O2] across, ending with U1

Row 6: [O2, U2] across, ending with U1

Row 7: O1, U1, [O2, U2] across, ending with O1

Row 8: [U2, O2] across, ending with O1

Row 9: U1, O1, [U2, O2] across, ending with U1

Row 10: [O2, U2] across, ending with U1

Row 11: O1, U1, [O2, U2] across, ending with O1

Switch twill direction here

Row 12: U1, O1, [U2, O2] across, ending with U1

Row 13: [O2, U2] across, ending with U1

Row 14: O1, U1, [O2, U2] across, ending with O1

Row 15: [U2, O2] across, ending with O1

Row 16: U1, O1, [U2, O2] across, ending with U1

Row 17: [O2, U2] across, ending with U1

Row 18: O1, U1, [O2, U2] across, ending with O1

Row 19: [U2, O2] across, ending with O1

Row 20: U1, O1, [U2, O2] across, ending with U1

Row 21: [O2, U2] across, ending with U1

Row 22: O1, U1, [O2, U2] across, ending with O1

Change back to the original twill direction

Row 23: U1, O1, [U2, O2] across, ending with U1

Row 24: [O2, U2] across, ending with U1

Row 25: O1, U1, [O2, U2] across, ending with O1

Row 26: [U2, O2] across, ending with O1

Row 27: U1, O1, [U2, O2] across, ending with U1

Row 28: [O2, U2] across, ending with U1

Row 29: O1, U1, [O2, U2] across, ending with O1

Row 30: [U2, O2] across, ending with O1

Row 31: U1, O1, [U2, O2] across, ending with U1

Row 32: O1, [U2, O2} across ending with U2

It’s not necessary to change the direction of the twill with the all black squares.
Assembly: Arrange the squares in a rectangle 3 squares across by 5 squares down. Place all black squares across the top, with the beginning yarn tails at top left corners and the ending yarn tails at the top right corners [A]. Make sure the zig zag pattern is flowing from one square to the next. Sew the squares together using a very small seam allowance, either on the sewing machine or by hand.

Fulling: Wash the sewn rectangle in hot water with a little dish soap. Agitate for a few minutes, then check the amount of felting. The fabric should thicken, but not shrink much. Repeat the agitation until done. Do not overdo or the twill pattern will be blurred. Rinse to remove soap, then roll in a towel to remove water. Straighten the sides and lay flat to dry.

Finishing: Cut the lining fabric 1/4″ smaller than the felted rectangle. If using magnets, cut 4 small rectangles 1″ x 2″ or big enough to fit your magnets. Fold the small rectangles in half and pin onto the wrong side of the lining. Place two magnets at the top and two at the bottom [B]. Line them up so when the bag is folded the magnets will connect. Sew three sides of the small rectangles to the lining, insert the magnets and then stitch the last side.

Place the lining on the fulled rectangle with right sides together. The lining is slightly smaller than the fabric. Line up one long side and sew using the smallest seam allowance possible [C]. Sew the sides in the order shown in [C], stretching the lining over to meet the edge of the fulled rectangle. Leave the bottom edge unsewn.

Turn the bag right side out. On the unsewn side, fold the edges of the lining and fulled fabric to the inside and hand stitch the edge closed.
With the lining outside, fold up the bottom of the bag to align the bottom edge almost to the spot where the black squares start [D]. Hand sew the side seams and turn the bag right side out. Fold the black end over to form a flap and sew on decorative buttons.

Optional handle: Cast on 5 stitches and knit I-cord to the length desired. Bind off and sew the handle onto the lining on the inside of the bag.